Teen Parishioners Honored at Vicariate II Youth Leadership Awards Banquet

 

Pictured above from left to right: Fr. Manny Dorantes, Meg Rux, Jimmy Perry, Bishop Francis Kane, and Mike Duncan

On Sunday, March 3, three of our Saint Clement teens were honored at the Vicariate II Youth Leadership Awards Dinner, held at White Eagle's Restaurant. Bishop Kane presented the awards, which are given to high school upper classmen in Vicariate II of the Archdiocese of Chicago who most clearly demonstrate a commitment to leadership in an area of parish activities. Around 760 people attended the banquet in support of the over 200 award recipients from Vicariate II. Representing Saint Clement Parish were our honorees: Meg Rux, recognized for her leadership in Prayer and Worship; Mike Duncan, for Peer Ministry; and Jimmy Perry, for Community Service and Social Justice.

 

Meg was one of the five recipients selected to give a witness talk during the banquet. She spoke of prayer as a way of life, and of the five Benedictine tenets that have specifically guided her the past few years: love of learning, importance of community, stewardship of gifts, respect for the individual, and sense of balance. Attempting to live out these five tenets has led her to opportunities to become a more active member of our parish community; she has assisted as an altar server and Eucharistic Minister, been a member of God Squad (our youth group) and a representative of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Youth Council, and served as a Confirmation sponsor for her brother and a close, family friend.

 

Meg thanks a "very wise teacher" for pointing out that one does not have to do anything, but rather, one has the opportunity to do something: "You don't have to, you get to." In keeping with her Benedictine tenets, and now following in the Jesuit philosophy of "Women and Men for Others, Leaders in Service," Meg welcomes opportunities of service to others.

 

All three of our honorees are living models of our parish stewardship of Pray.Serve.Give. Congratulations to Meg, Mike, and Jimmy, and thank you for your leadership!

Saint Clement, Bishop Kane Confirm 55 Parish Eighth Graders 

 

A parent makes a full, active, and conscious decision to have their child receive their first sacrament of initiation, Baptism. First Eucharist follows in second grade, as we are more fully received into the Body of Christ by partaking of the Bread of Life. As an eighth grader, one makes their own full, conscious, and active decision to being a committed Christian, to live the message of Jesus in everyday life, and accept the sacrament of Confirmation.

 

Max Rimac with his sponsor,  his brother Joe Rimac

On the morning of March 9, 55 eighth graders from our parish received the sacrament of Confirmation, helped through the Holy Spirit to bear witness to Christ by both words and deeds.

 

The Confirmandi spent months preparing for the moment when the Most Reverend Francis Kane, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, witnessed by Father Ken Simpson and Father Manny Dorantes, would anoint them with the chrism on the forehead and through the words, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."

 

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, the spirit of right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and wonder and awe in God's presence; the students learned more about these gifts through projects they completed during their preparation.

 

Matthew 25 Project

 

"For I was hungry and you gave me food..."

 

Confirmation candidates completed a "Matthew 25" service project, inspired by the Works of Mercy as are written in the Gospel of Matthew and Catholic Social Teaching. Each Confirmand participated in a service project and completed a reflection on their experience, along with a social action reflection, either in the form of a paper, interview, workshop attendance, or even artistic reflection.

 

Confirmand Dana Coons created a piece of art titled "The Light of God" and offered this explanation: "'The Light of God' portrays those in darkness being saved by the Catholic faith. The golden cross represents God, reaching out to those in need. The many silhouettes creeping out of the shadows represent those without faith. There is a man that is limping and needs help, someone who has fallen and can't get up, and one who was naked and has been clothed by the light of God. These people, along with many others, are discovering the awesome power of forgiveness and generosity that our Lord holds."

 

On behalf of all the newly Confirmed, their sponsors, and families, thank you Melissa Otter, Addie Guzman and Julie Healy for your dedication as catechists, and thank you to the 7th grade parents and the Saint Clement (School) Parent Association for providing the Confirmation reception.

 

Congratulations on your Confirmation!

Holy Week and Easter Schedule 2013

Click here for a description of Holy Week liturgies.

 

Passion Sunday, March 24 Mass Schedule

Saturday, March 23

5:00 p.m. (Church)

Sunday, March 24

8:00 a.m. (Church)

9:30 a.m. (Church & Chapel)

11:15 a.m. (Church)

7:00 p.m. (Church)

 

Wednesday, March 27

7:30 p.m.: Tenebrae (Church) - A liturgy of readings and candlelight, pondering the symbols of light and darkness in relation to the mystery of Christ's life and passion

 

Holy Thursday, March 28

9:00 a.m.: Morning Prayer

7:30 p.m. Mass of the Lord's Supper (Church)

9:45 p.m.: Night Prayer (Chapel)

 

Good Friday, March 29

9:00 a.m.: Morning Prayer (Church)

10:00 a.m.: Children's Stations of the Cross (Chapel)

Noon: Stations of the Cross (Church)

7:30 p.m.: Liturgy of the Passion (Church)

9:45 p.m.: Night Prayer (Church)

 

Holy Saturday, March 30

9:00 a.m.: Morning Prayer (Church)

1:00 p.m.: Blessing of Easter Food (Church)

8:00 p.m.: Easter Vigil (Church)

 

Easter Sunday, March 31 Mass Schedule

8:00 a.m. (Church)

9:30 a.m. (Church, Chapel, Gym)

11:15 a.m. (Church, Chapel)

No 7:00 p.m. Mass

 

Easter Masses at The Cabrini Shrine (2520 N. Lakeview Ave.) at  

8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

After your Lenten promises have been fulfilled, the Parish Engagement Committee invites you to participate in a new, four--week session focused on revitalizing your Catholic faith.

"Becoming a Dynamic Catholic" will meet weekly on Wednesdays for four consecutive weeks, beginning April 17 at 7:00 p.m. Based on the book The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic by Matthew Kelly, each week this program will discuss each of the "four signs" in the book -- Prayer, Study, Generosity, and Evangelization -- and the small, incremental steps we can take to build these "signs" into an important part of our faith life.

If you are interested in joining the group -- either for all four weeks or any one week -- be sure to pick up a copy of the book from the parish reception desk for just $5.00. Please contact Erin Neal with questions.